Sociology: Neighborhood Assessment and Gang Definition

Definition of a Gang

• A gang is an ongoing, organized association of three or more persons, whether formal or informal, who have a common name or common signs, colors, or symbols and members or associates who individually or collectively engage in or have engaged in criminal activity.

History of Gangs

• Criminal or outlaw gangs have been a worldwide phenomenon throughout history.
• Gangs are an American tradition, dating back to:
  • Colonial times: Pirates
  • "Wild West": Bandits
  • 1920s: Gangs formed in the United States, consisting of family members and friends, with a "tough guy" image.
  • 1950s: Gangs became more territorial, formed around neighborhoods, and engaged in fights (rumbles) but with relatively few shootings or stabbings.
  • 1960s: Organized Motorcycle gangs evolved from motorcycle clubs whose members were alienated World War II veterans.
• Gang activities and growth decreased in the 1960s due to:
  • Young people's energy being spent on the Viet Nam War, the draft, and the Civil Rights Movement.
• From the 1970s to the present, gangs evolved into the gangs we know today, with a significant presence in:
  • Lower-class, ghetto, or barrio communities
  • Western, midwestern, and southeastern states

Structure of Gangs

• "Hard Core" gang members:
  • Most heavily involved in the gang
  • Usually violent criminals
  • Leaders of the gang
• "Peripheral" gang members:
  • Also heavily involved in criminal activities
  • Followers of the gang
• "Wanna Be" gang members:
  • Infatuated with the gang mystic
  • Not yet involved in negative behavior
  • Often cause problems for law enforcement

Gang Activities

• Street gangs and youth gangs are the biggest problem to communities and law enforcement.
• Gang activities include:
  • Drug use and sales
  • Violent crimes against people and property
  • Protection racket, prostitution, burglaries, and stealing/fencing of stolen property
• Some gangs have a higher rate of drug use and sales, which increases the risk of becoming formal criminal organizations.

Gender and Age of Gang Members

• Gangs are predominantly comprised of adolescent adult males.
• Females associated with gangs are usually not given full membership status.
• Some females have started their own gangs, often as an "auxiliary" to the male gang.

Race, Ethnic, and Cultural Makeup of Gangs

• Gangs exist in all ethnic categories.
• African American and Hispanic members predominate.
• There are also white gangs, Asian gangs, and mixed groups.
• Gang behavior depends on members' cultural heritage.

Reasons for Joining Gangs

• Reasons for joining a gang range from:
  • Wanting to have a good time
  • To pursuing entrepreneurial ventures that may require considerable commitment to delinquent or criminal activity
• These reasons can be divided into three categories:
  • Social needs: caring, belonging, and recognition
  • Most young people can get these needs from their families, but many gang members come from dysfunctional families.
  • Recruitment often occurs informally through family members, friends, and drug activities.

Traits of Young People at Risk to Join Gangs

• Lack of education or educational opportunities
• Lack of job opportunities and skills
• Absence of sufficient positive adult role models
• Lack of family support
• Low self-esteem and absence of a feeling of empowerment
• Drug and alcohol abuse
• Lack of opportunities for pro-social interactions

Indicators of Possible Gang Involvement

• Be aware of:
  • Clothing style and color
  • Use of signs, symbols, and language
  • New friends and associations
  • Drug use and abuse

Street Gangs

• Most street gangs line up under two "Nations":
  • The Folk Nation
  • The People Nation
• Members of either nation will fight the other nation or sometimes among themselves.
• Folk Nation:
  • Refer to themselves as "Folks"
  • Identify to the right (e.g., wear an earring in the right ear)
  • Include gangs like the Crips and the Disciples
• People Nation:
  • Refer to themselves as "People"
  • Identify to the left
  • Include gangs like the Bloods and the Vice Lords

Other Groups

• Hate groups:
  • Skinheads, Nazi, and like groups
  • Target someone different than themselves
• Political groups:
  • Have a philosophy or agenda to advance
  • Examples: ALF (Animal Liberation Front)
• Terrorist groups:
  • Rely on violence to promote their political agenda
  • Examples: Islamic Fundamentalist, Marxist groups, and Militia
• Stoners:
  • Against the establishment at any level
• Bikers:
  • Very organized, with their own society
• Ethnic groups:
  • Hispanic or Latino gangs, Asian gangs, or any other ethnic group that bands together and fits the definition of a gang
• Transients:
  • Gypsies, who may have a base but are largely mobile, with a structured society and their own language, customs, and oral history traditions.